Glorious Goals: Month 3 — 2014 fitness goals

So March is more than halfway over, and I realized the other day that I didn’t check in on my Glorious Goal that I set for February. February’s goal was to eat out less, which to me means paying for pre-made food less times. I set a limit of 8 times to eat out and I kept track of my ventures on my You Need a Budget app by marking them with a purple flag. How did I do?

I kind of failed: I ate out 15 times (I include any time I buy unplanned food as “eating out”). But, this exercise made me more aware of how much I was eating out, and I’ve noticed a major decline in paying for pre-made foods lately. I’m going to keep working on this goal, just like I am continuing to work on my original goal of setting a budget and sticking to it. That original goal is proving to be tough for me because Mark has offered to help me pay for things, and he hasn’t set a budget, so it’s hard for me to figure out what my actual budget is. We are working on this though!

So what are my March goals?

Monday’s blog post talked about wanting to be more active and eat more nutritious food. I briefly touched on my fitness goals for the year, but I’ll outline them here today for my March goals. The focus of my fitness goals this year is body FUNCTION not body aesthetics.

1. Run 5 miles, injury-free, again

I don’t care how fast I run these five miles. I just want to have the ability to lace up my shoes, and go five miles. Five miles is a good distance for me because it’s long enough that I felt like I got to enjoy my run, but short enough that I’m not pushing too hard and can do it a few times a week. Five to seven miles is my favorite average distance to run because of those things. I miss running that distance because 20-30 minutes is just not enough time to enjoy myself.

How I’m getting there: I’m running a few times a week outdoors (because it is about enjoyment, after all), and focusing on form. I’ve gotten up to a 5K (3.12 miles). I’m also walking a lot more, which will help me build my running mileage as well — something that is often overlooked by runners (including myself).

By the end of March I want to be … running three miles one time a week with no pain or old injuries cropping up.

2. Do 200 situps — no breaks

This one is deceivingly a body-related goal, but it’s not. Situps not only work the core, which is quite necessary for running (see goal #1), they work your hip adductors and abductors, which are also needed for running.

How I’m getting there: I typically do my physical therapy exercises after every workout, so I have been including situps and other exercises to aid me in goal #1. I’ve been doing 25 situps after every run, and once a week I try to do 100 (or more) situps. The most I’ve gotten in one go is 125.

By the end of March I want to be … doing 35 situps after every workout along with my PT exercises.

3. Get into a tripod headstand

I tend to overlook yoga because it bores me, but there is something about a handstand or headstand that has an allure. I like the tripod headstand because it is about upper-body and core strength, and to get into the headstand, you need to stretch your legs out.

How I’m getting there: Once or twice a week I get into the tripod headstand prep pose and hold as long as I can. I haven’t attempted getting into the headstand because I’m by myself, and I think that’s dangerous. In a few months I will attempt a supervised headstand, but I have a ways to go.

By the end of March I want to be … hitting 30+ seconds in headstand prep a few times a week.

This is actually something that’s on my 30-before-30 list, and I’ve been working on this goal for YEARS. I’ve gotten to the point where I have been able to touch the ground past my toes, and since I’m building up my running mileage again, I need to focus on this goal (as well as general stretching) or else I’ll get all shriveled and cramped again, thus creating some injury issues.

How I’m getting there: Stretching every day a little bit when I remember to do so. Usually this happens when I hit the bathroom at work, which I realize is gross, but at least by doing this it promotes regular stretching.

By the end of March I want to be … remembering to stretch every day.

5. Do 200 supermans (to balance out those situps)

I added this goal to my repertoire because I tend to skip over lower back and butt exercises because I typically think of my core as being just my abs. That’s not the case. So to balance out my situps, I am going to start doing supermans, even though I hate this exercise.

How I’m getting there: I’m adding supermans to my post-workout routine and doing as many of those as I do situps for the day.

By the end of March I want to be … hitting 25-35 supermans after every workout.

Sub-24:00 5K and sub-2:00:00 half marathon. I came within seconds of those last year but honestly didn’t expect them, so they might be tougher than they look on paper (or on screen, I guess).Sadye recently posted..It *is* just like riding a bike

Awesome! You can do it. I’m wanting to hit 20 mins on a 5K someday. Honestly, the only reason I ever hit sub 24 mins was bc there was a kid in front of me running (like a 12-year old) and I was like, “OMG that kid is NOT GOING TO BEAT ME!”Calee recently posted..Glorious Goals: Month 3 âÂ 2014 fitness goals

LOL I love it! I beat my boyfriend in the last 5K we both did, and I managed to resist the urge to slow down just because I knew he was behind me somewhere. Hoping that same urge fuels me in two weeks!Sadye recently posted..Let the obsessing over race-day-weather begin!

Hi there. I'm Calee (pronounced CAL-e). If that's too hard, just call me Cal. I also respond to Chimes. I'm a gal hanging onto the last bit of my 20s as I venture into a graduate degree in graphic design, whilst balancing a career, a long-distance relationship, and a million hobbies and trades. Here's the unabridged version.

disclaimer: I'm not a personal trainer, nutritionist, or other professional in the health and fitness world. I'm a graphic designer / communications specialist who has a vested interest in health, fitness, and food.